Chapter 90: The Gold Rank Assessment Begins

“Phew…”

Leonis looked up at the distant snowy mountains and began administering first aid.

Because the melted flesh had fused with the robe he was wearing, he had to scrape off the burned areas once.

Cold sweat trickled down Leonis’s face as he endured the searing pain.

When blood and sweat mixed and dripped down, he wrapped a fresh white bandage around his body.

If he hadn’t lost his belongings, he would have poured a potion over the wounds to heal them, but that was impossible now.

Leonis let out a sigh of relief as he carefully touched the area around his relatively uninjured eye.

Having lost his belongings, the best course of action to heal his wounded body would be to head to a major city and find a temple.

However, Leonis did not do that.

Reporting this incident to the Magic Tower took precedence over his own recovery.

Leonis walked endlessly.

Even as the bandages wrapped around his arms and forehead turned crimson, his steps did not waver.

Eventually, he arrived at a dilapidated farmhouse standing alone in a desolate area.

Due to the prolonged cold weather, no one lived there.

He made his way to a small storage shed at the back and pulled aside a slightly protruding stone.

With a low rumble, a hidden underground passage was revealed.

It was a safe house for magicians.

The Magic Tower maintained several such shelters for magicians who suffered severe injuries during missions.

Leonis descended the long staircase until he reached the end.

Inside was a small room where one could lie down, a set of spare clothes, potions for treating wounds, and a small amount of gold.

While hastily treating his injuries, Leonis pulled a small stone tablet from the table.

It was a magical communication device called a “Telecation.”

Although it only allowed one-way communication, it was a useful tool for notifying the Magic Tower when injured magicians had to seek refuge.

Despite being expensive and single-use, Leonis didn’t hesitate to pick up a pen and start writing on the tablet.

Access Level: Class 1
Author: Battle Mage Leonis
Grade: Imperial

Encountered and engaged the target “Seris” in the snowy mountains of Kashpa, within the Karma Empire. Sustained serious injuries requiring medical attention.

The target, “Seris,” is presumed to be an external magician who has established her own unique magical system.

Her magic and combat style closely resemble the Battle Mage faction, raising suspicions of knowledge leakage.

Seris employs a powerful heat ray magic emitted from her mouth, which can melt anything in a straight line. Extreme caution is advised.

Her physical capabilities are unusually high for a small girl, and her mana-shielded defense rivals the fortress walls of the Magic Tower.

When using magic, Seris exhibits a distinct physical transformation. Considering the simultaneous enhancement of her physical abilities, she is presumed to be a beastkin rather than a human.

Conclusion:

Requesting additional support for verifying the status of the Blue Veil and capturing the beastkin Seris alive.

Leonis’s body, which had been sore as if from muscle pain, rapidly recovered within a day.

His enhanced physical abilities accelerated his healing process.

Meanwhile, Seris, who had left Leonis gravely injured, was already on the move.

She mounted her Nightmare and began leaving the Karma Empire.

She had no intention of lingering in the empire, especially when a pursuing magician had already revealed himself.

Unfolding a map on the Nightmare’s back, she carefully scanned the surrounding areas and identified a place she had yet to visit.

The Land of Artisans—Raoum.

Located just north of the Holy Kingdom, it was easily accessible by riding straight through the border region of the Karma Empire.

If she rode the Nightmare without rest, she could arrive within a week.

Seris pulled the reins, steering the Nightmare toward the border.

As expected, the road to Raoum was bustling with people.

A long procession of merchants moved steadily, accompanied by adventurers hired to guard them.

Traveling discreetly among the crowd, Seris overheard many stories.

People spoke of Raoum’s high-quality goods being sold at exorbitant prices abroad and rumors of a massive dungeon recently discovered in an abandoned mine.

The dungeon was said to be crawling with undead creatures like skeletons, zombies, and even death knights.

Of course, since these rumors were unconfirmed, most adventurers remained skeptical.

Moreover, since the discovered dungeon was under the direct control of Raoum’s authorities, ordinary adventurers dared not approach it.

As the blanket of snow melted away, lush green plains emerged.

The cool breeze brushed against the grass, creating waves of green.

However, this verdant landscape was short-lived.

After riding for another day or two, the scenery transformed into a barren plain.

Towering rock mountains stood devoid of vegetation, and the cracked, dry earth was reminiscent of the savage lands of Greenfall.

Seris opened an adventurer’s guidebook and confirmed the details about Raoum.

Raoum:

Once a country covered in dense green forests, it became barren after losing the earth’s vitality due to a black magician’s curse.

Nevertheless, the people who called this land home did not abandon it. Through relentless effort, they eventually found a solution—leading to the creation of the massive mines that define Raoum today.

The “Breath of the Dwarves” mine is known for its vast mineral reserves…

Entering Raoum required a lengthy inspection process.

However, as always, a bribe expedited things considerably.

Had she waited for the official procedure, it would have taken an entire day to get through.

Those without spare gold had no choice but to wait patiently.

Seris’s small frame contrasted sharply with the Nightmare’s massive build, drawing attention.

Although she had grown accustomed to the stares, the occasional troublemakers were an annoyance.

Of course, most of those who approached with bad intentions ended up with broken ribs from the Nightmare’s powerful kicks.

After riding through the Raoum border for two more days, the towering city walls finally came into view.

The walls glistened under the sun, suggesting they were constructed from special minerals rather than ordinary stone.

“Stop!”

“Halt!”

The massive figure of the Nightmare often caused misunderstandings, especially among city guards.

By now, the Nightmare had learned how to behave to avoid trouble.

It blinked its large eyes innocently, as if to say it was just an ordinary, harmless horse.

Of course, the guards likely didn’t buy that explanation.

Only after Seris explained that her mount was a rare “Hyran breed” did they let her through the city gates.

Contrary to its barren exterior, Raoum’s city was remarkably dazzling.

Buildings constructed from refined minerals gleamed under the sunlight, asserting their grandeur.

The air was filled with the sound of hammers striking metal and the heat from forges burning brightly.

To operate as an adventurer here, Seris needed to obtain a new rank badge.

After securing a room at a suitable inn and stabling the Nightmare, she prepared to head to the examination guild.

The Nightmare hesitated at the stable entrance, still unsettled from the encounter with Leonis.

“Stay here quietly, and I’ll play with you later tonight,” Seris reassured it.

With a snort, the Nightmare finally relented and strutted into the stable, casting a smug glance at the other, smaller horses.

Leaving the stable behind, Seris proceeded straight to the adventurer’s guild.

Knocking softly on the reception counter, she addressed the receptionist.

“Hello.”

“Hm?”

The receptionist, busy organizing paperwork, glanced down at her and scratched his head with his pen.

“What do you need?”

“I’d like to apply for a rank badge.”

“A rank badge? Oh, do you already have one from another country?”

Seris nodded and produced the silver badge she had received in the Karma Empire.

“Silver…?”

“Is there a problem?”

“Hm, no problem… So, you want to get a rank badge here?”

“Yes.”

“Silver rank?”

“No.”